Kampala takes smart mobility leap with Traffic Control Centre launch

________________

The government has officially commissioned East Africa’s first Traffic Control Centre $24 million (approx. sh47 billion) project set to revolutionise traffic management in Kampala and set the benchmark for smart urban mobility across the region.

At exactly 10:20 am, the facility was inaugurated by the Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Takuya Sasayama, alongside key government officials and development partners, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s urban transformation agenda.

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago delivering his speech at the function. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Hon. Kyofatogabye Kabuye, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs delivering his speech. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Located at City Hall, the state-of-the-art Traffic Control Centre is directly connected to 30 major intersections across the city.

Tetsuro Izawa, Project Manager, Road Planning Dept. Road Transport Division, Oriental Consults Global, explaining the traffic control system. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Moses Mugalanzi, Traffic Engineer KCCA takes the guests through a live system demonstration inside the traffic control centre. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

It will manage traffic in real time, reduce congestion, improve road safety, and enhance enforcement capacity. The system is equipped with modern surveillance, data analytics, and monitoring tools, and is expected to integrate artificial intelligence in its future phases.

“This centre supports government programmes on mass transportation and will go a long way in reducing emissions and improving the quality of life for city dwellers,” said Kabuye Kyofatogabye, State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs.

The project was implemented under the Project for the Improvement of Traffic Control in Kampala, funded and executed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Ambassador Sasayama called the centre a timely and impactful response to urban challenges.

“Waste management, transport, pollution—these are multifaceted problems. At least for traffic, part of the answer is here,” he said.

JICA’s representative in Uganda, Yoichi Inoue, highlighted the resilience it took to complete the project amidst COVID-19 disruptions and urged that future initiatives be integrated to maximise its impact.

KCCA executive director Sharifah Buzeki described the facility as a critical step towards making Kampala a “smart and liveable city.”

“This is not only a KCCA project. It’s for the police, researchers, and traffic managers. We are committed to operating it to the highest standards,” she noted, confirming plans for eventual integration of artificial intelligence and system expansion.

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago hailed the facility as a monumental achievement:

“This project will reduce emissions, enhance enforcement capacity, and make transport management more efficient. We must celebrate this achievement and thank the government of Japan.”

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago (left) having a light moment with Hon. Kyofatogabye Kabuye, Minister of State for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The commissioning ceremony concluded with a tree-planting event at City Hall by Ambassador Sasayama, Minister Kyofatogabye, Lord Mayor Lukwago, and ED Buzeki, symbolising a greener, more sustainable future for Kampala.